I am 8 weeks post op and cleared to get back on the bike. I had abdominal surgery and was restricted to basically no activity for 6-8 weeks. I went into surgery with great fitness. Any suggested plans to select to get my overall fitness back?
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I had hip surgery (labrum) back in August. A little different because it directly interferes with pedaling, but your abdominal surgery and the temporary loss of good core function may also affect pedaling. I used Trad Base to rebuild tolerance to pedaling, did TB 1 and 2 if I recall, then once zero issues started manually adding weekly SS/threshold workouts to build tolerance to that level, then went to Plan Builder. If you’re not already doing this, make sure you have someone (a good strength coach or sports-oriented PT) helping you get core function back once your surgeon clears you for that. To some people the recovery feels fairly normal but it rarely is. Good luck!!
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I’ve had both, hip and 2 abdominal surgeries.
Second was the hip replacement, and for that, I cut 25% off my FTP, and was on the bike in less than a week, but in my sneakers as the SPD-SL’s hurt unclipping. Rode really easy for a couple of weeks, and gradually built up.
But first was the abdominal surgery. It was my liver, and they botched the closure part. It was open and actively bleeding for over 6 months. The muscle sheath wall never healed together, so I have some interstitial lower level tissue that is holding everything in. I was back to normal eventually. They also didn’t stress wearing a binder post-op. Get a good binder, get several, and wear them everyday! You run the risk of blowing out that area, and then requiring major surgery to tuck it all back in. It’s not without the possibility for major complications.
The third surgery was a multiport prostatectomy, and they went in through part of the existing hernia, and I’m religiously wearing the binders and following orders now. It feels fine, but it’s too soon to tell. This latest surgeon said that abdominal surgeries only heal to about 85% of the original strength, so depending on how bad the earlier one was, I’m thinking my lifting heavy things days are over. I’m looking for a binder to wear when riding, and will be getting a ‘Home Depot’ style back support belt (his description) for when I need more support in the future. Keeping my core up and fit will be even more important now, as well as watching for any changes in the area, and hoping not to need my innards stuffed back in again.
Good luck, be good to yourself, whoever you are…
UPDATE
Thanks all. I started light spinning 20-30 minutes on the indoor trainer a few times a week STARTING 5 weeks post surgery…taking it VERY easy. Goal was to get the heart pumping, but not strain the legs or abdomen.
Once fully cleared after 8 weeks, I did an FTP test in which my FTP dropped by 11%.
I did a high volume sustained power build plan (6 days a week) for 10 weeks until my first race. This got my in good enough shape to perform at a high level during the stage race.